Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

[tnmike]

I was watching the latest episode of Gold Rush and they had a breakdown on a loader hydraulic fitting that required an eight hour repair job. They called a mobile mechanic who repaired the problem on site. The bill was 2000 dollars. Pretty good wages .

I'm curious, how prevalent is this type of business? As far as I know there is no such service around here. It looks like a good business opportunity for someone. It should transfer over to farm equipment as well.

[Harvuskong]

To the best of my knowledge, every Cat dealer and every heavy equipment dealer has that type of service. And they do have a lot of heavy duty tools on on the truck as well as a mounted mobile crane, welder, air compressor and etc.

And the service trucks are generally large heavy duty units also.

As for farm equipment dealer's mobile mechanics, not as well equipped as the Cat mobile mechanics nor as common either at least not in this area. They generally seem to use heavy 1/2 ton to maybe 3/4 ton pickups at the most.

[Scrapper Greg]

I used to work for a construction equipment dealership. We had 3 men in the service dept. All had trucks, 3/4 and 1 tons. Worked on everything from Target saws to Barber Greene pavers and everything in between, in the shop and in the field.

[Caliber]

I question the pay rate, they said $250 an hour. 8 hours = $2000, There was 2 mechanics doing the job. Our shop gets $100 an hour plus mileage for Mobile maintenance, that is for 1 tech. The $250 a hour was actually $125 per mechanic.
It leads me to believe that Todd asked for it to be done ASAP, and agreed for 2 mechanics.
Even at those numbers $2000 ^ 8 hours= $250, doesn't show any mileage fees, I don't think those mechanics would have drove out there for free. Out in the woods, you could drive only 50 miles and it can take you a couple of hours to do it.
I believe the bill statement was more like 2 mechanics @ $100 per hour each = $1600, than a mileage charge of $200 per mechanic / service truck = $400
$1600 + $400= $2000

[flametamer]

If it was anything like the rest of TV, it could have been 1500 and the rouned up to 2000 to make it sound better. The land of TV and the real world truth don't always equal.

Dt

[Dr Dean]

Sometimes it doesn't matter what the bill is because the down time is far more costly. Customers sometimes ask what parts cost, in my mind I ask does it matter damn thing won't run with out it.
I had a tractor in the shop before fall work with a hydraulic leak. Blown $0.72 oring. It took 3 days to replace that damn o ring because we had to remove the cab to get at it. $200,000 machine down because of a freaking o ring that the factory missed tightining the damn jam nut on the fitting!

[terry lingle]

The big name equipment wrenches AKA dealerships Are about $135 /hr for the truck and one man. figure 4 hrs travel ( 2 each way) with mileage and a fuel surcharge gets you up there.
The travel alone will be about $1000 when taxes get figured in.
The theory is that down time costs more. Most owner /operators are pretty handy wrenches and often do a lot of the grunt work before the big buck guys get there.
I quite often get called to work on machines mostly on planned repairs and service.
Pick up at my door and delivered back $ 100 /hr door to door because that adds up to about mileage charge from the dealership trucks.
Lots of bull work but I am the knowledge guy and there are usually enough grunts that I do not get overworked.

[Floptop]

I do mostly agricultural repair but also see some industrial equipment from a couple of customers.
My old one ton is pretty basic compared to some others around here, but it as a crane, welder, air compressor and all the basic tools. I charge $70.00/hr from the time I leave home till I get back, plus $1.25/mile and $2.00/hr for supplies, more if I'm welding. I'm raising the rate in the new year but all my customers are alright with it. Many of the more fancy units go out for $100.00/hr or more, but I seem to be making a decent living. Some of the rookies the dealerships send out on $125/hr units are a crying shame, no experience and no work ethic, they're not all like that but there seem to be more and more.

[Shopmonkey]

Originally Posted by Dr Dean

Customers sometimes ask what parts cost, in my mind I ask does it matter damn thing won't run with out it.

You're right, of course, but, sometimes the customer asks for an estimate so they kinda know how much money they have to dig outta the ol' mattress when you present them with the bill. People don't like surprises unless it's Christmas or their birthday. They often have an idea what it's gonna cost, but, they like to know for sure.

Just my thought on the subject.

[Dr Dean]

Originally Posted by Shopmonkey

You're right, of course, but, sometimes the customer asks for an estimate so they kinda know how much money they have to dig outta the ol' mattress when you present them with the bill. People don't like surprises unless it's Christmas or their birthday. They often have an idea what it's gonna cost, but, they like to know for sure.

Just my thought on the subject.

True and I understand the otherside of the counter. In all honesty I don't know what most parts cost and don't want to know. If I do know usually the price has changed since I looked it up last year so I don't quote prices. I will usually give a time estimate but that's if I am doing the job, my boss gives job and parts estimates.